Russia is replacing paramilitary troops with controllable forces in Africa

Russia is replacing paramilitary troops with controllable forces in Africa

In Nigeria, the focus is on the Wagner Group, a feared Russian mercenary group. She is known for a failed coup attempt in Moscow and is accused of committing serious human rights violations in Africa. Experts are now watching the group being replaced by another Russian paramilitary contingent - the Kremlin-controlled Afrika Korps.

The rise of the Afrika Korps

For years, the Wagner Group, funded by the Russian government and praised by President Vladimir Putin in 2023 for its “courage and bravery,” was Moscow’s military figurehead in the Sahel. This region stretches from Senegal to Sudan and is affected by repeated coups, armed rebels and extremist insurgencies. With the Wagner Group's withdrawal from parts of this region, the Kremlin appears to be deploying a controlled but unofficial military.

Russia and military cooperation in Africa

At a Russia-Africa summit in 2023, Putin revealed that the Kremlin had “concluded military-technical cooperation agreements with more than 40 African countries,” supplying a variety of weapons and equipment. In part, the Kremlin is filling a vacuum left by Western troops expelled from the Sahel by several governments between 2022 and this year.

As the West increasingly turns its attention to other conflicts, Russia has positioned itself as a sought-after security partner both inside and outside the Sahel. In countries like Mali, where Wagner suffered some of its heaviest losses, the group's forces join local militaries to fight against insurgents.

The Afrika Korps – An official military contingent

The Afrika Korps, which replaces the Wagner Group, is not autonomous. Unlike the mercenaries, this paramilitary contingent operates under the umbrella of the Russian Ministry of Defense. According to a post on the official Telegram channel of the Afrika Korps, the recruitments “primarily” relied on former and active Wagner fighters. These forces have already entered the battlefield and are working with Mali's military.

Adaptations and challenges in the Central African Republic

Wagner announced in June that it was leaving Mali, where the group has fought insurgents for three years. Similar departures are also being discussed in the Central African Republic (CAR), where Wagner has operated since 2018 and is a dominant force. In the ZAR, Wagner is held responsible for averting a state collapse. Recently, CAR military officials reported that the Russian Defense Ministry has requested the replacement by the Afrika Korps.

The Kremlin strategy: realignment and control

Wagner's move to the Afrika Korps could mean a strategic realignment for Moscow. According to Héni Nsaibia, a conflict data analyst, Russia could seek to bring its military ventures under state control and create a less risky image by replacing the “Wagner” brand with the new name Afrika Korps. This would allow Moscow to distance itself from the mercenary narrative while still maintaining a strong presence in the region.

The impact of Wagner on security in Africa

Despite all the questions about the Wagner Group's operations, there are mixed opinions about the impact of its counterterrorism operations. Some analysts such as Mamadou Adje express doubts about whether Wagner has actually made any progress in the fight against terrorist groups, while Nsaibia notes that the group has won some tactical victories for Mali's military. But the souls of the people of the Sahel remain at risk; UN delegates report a rapid deterioration in the security situation and there is an urgent need for global assistance.

In conclusion, Russia is acting strategically in Africa and wants to expand its military presence, while at the same time taking into account the challenges and risks associated with this cooperation.